Healthy Homemade Chocolate
I know that many of us are lamenting the few extra pounds we are carrying after the holidays and are trying to completely avoid sweets. However, eating small bites of really, really, good chocolate is so completely satisfying that after one piece you don’t feel the need to keep eating big bags of it (thus the extra pounds). Therefore, the better choice for all of us would be to have a well made chocolate truffle every day or two, or three.
Satisfaction Helps Us
People are always asking me how our family stays in shape with all of this wonderful chocolate around. The answer is; we do have a truffle or two every few days and they are so satisfying that we don’t need any more than that. After all, someone has to test each new batch for quality control (a terrible hardship for us!).
Guilt Free Chocolate?
So let us free ourselves from the guilt of eating chocolate and make the kind we choose to indulge in be part of the solution. As with anything wonderful and pleasing to our senses, a few satisfying tastes are encouraged – and The Secret Chocolatier is here for you.
If you still need a few excuses to have a few truffles a week, let me help you out.
- In the 16th century cacao beans were used to treat indigestion, fever, and fatigue. While today chocolate is not seen as a cure-all, scientists do assert that dark chocolate can lower blood pressure.
- Chocolate contains more antioxidants per serving than green tea, blueberries, or red wine. Cacao beans have large amounts natural antioxidants that are believed to help prevent cancer, heart disease, and stroke. So it would seem that it is especially good to eat chocolate when blueberries are not in season! Because CHOCOLATE IS ALWAYS IN SEASON!
- While this is still being studied, chocolate contains chemicals that help keep blood vessels elastic.
- 75% of chocolate’s fats are in the form of oleic and stearic acids. Diets rich in these acids have been shown to lower cholesterol levels.
- Chocolate contains small amounts of a chemical called phenylethylamine (PEA), which is a mild mood elevator. It’s the same chemical that our brain produces when we feel happy or “in love.” Now isn’t that a nice side-effect.
In with the dark chocolate, out with the guilt!
Happy New Year!
Karen